Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-01-27

hooks. and. as a consequence of all these, in
hnitely better results in our schools than 1t Is
possible TO expect under the present system
Your committee therefore recommend. thai
all laws in relation to our independent schoo.
district system be repealed We have carefully
examined the school systems OF various states.
and we conclude that the MODEL system o.
schools for q State, approved by the National
Association of Superintendent, at Pnllaoel-
phia in 1876, and also by the veteran Commls-
sioner of Education, General Eaton. VINO mas
given the best years OF his life TO study OF
school systems is the best for Kansas, and it is
the system your committee now respectfully
present to you. AS that part OF the Kansas
kansas school system which relates TO higher
education is in the main satisfactory II has not
been touched in this report; and all the recon-
mendations made have reference solely 10 the
rural parts of the State. excluding al cities o.
the first and second class
In dividing the State for school purposes, we
recommend:
That the county should exercise limited
general supervisory control over its schools;
should select county superintendent; shouio
have a county board OF education; should Sc
cure uniformity in textbooks; should nave
power to establish county high schools.
That the County Board OF Education should
be composed of the school trustees of corpora
lions which are under the supervision
consider the general needs and wants
of the schools under its CHARGE
should seek TO unity the school work; should ar
range q course of study; should make general
rules and regulations in regard to the employ
ment of teachers time OF commencing sehoop,
the government OF the schools and the conduct
of the teachers and pupils. ETC.; should ADOPT
textbooks; should levy county tax.
That the city township should be left to the
local control of its schools; should elect its ON
GERS; should build its own houses; should select
its teachers from among those that have
been duly qualified under the laws OF the State:
4 -11,-x- Of farf
building of houses, etc.; should be permitted to
levy local taxes for the continuance OF the
schools beyond the minimum period liked by
the State; should be permitted to levy local
taxes for the maintenance or scnoolS OF an al
Yanced grade.
That districts should be formed for the pur-
pose of localiZing the patrons of the schools
should have an advisory power in the selection
OF teachers, and the erection, removal or repair
of school houses.
That trustees of townships and cities should
be three for each corporation; should be elected
by the people; should serve for three years, one
retiring annually; should receive school reve-
nues; should have power to levy local taxes,
within specified limitations, for grounds, build
ings furniture, repairs, supplies, apparatus, ETC.,
and for library purposes and for additional tut
ton purposes; should be compelled to locate,
establish and maintain sufficient number OF
schools. for certain number of months in each
year; should have power TO abolish old school
districts, create new ones, build and remove
houses should be compelled to make provisions
for instruction in certain prescribed branches;
should have power TO establish township or town
graded schools; should have power to provide
instruction in branches additional to those pre-
scribed by law; should employ and contract
with teachers, being restricted in their selection
to those who have been duly licensed by com
petent authority; should properly account to
proper officers for all school revenues that come
into their hands; should receive reports from
teachers, and should transmit reports to the
1 nf
hcers; should have authority to dis
miss refractory pupils from school;
should be prohibited from contracting debt;
should carry out the orders Of the county board
of education in respect to course of study and
textbooks.
We further recommend, that person shall
be eligible to the ONCE of county superintend-
ent who does not possess diploma from Il col
lege university legally empowered to grant
| literary degrees, diploma or State certif-
cate issued according to law by the authorities
of State Normal School a certificate from
the State Board Of Education, or a frst-grade
certificate from county or city examining
board; nor shall he be eligible unless he has a
sound moral character and has had successful
experience in teaching within three years OF the
time OF his first election.
We further recommend that in each county,
| the tax levied by the county board be sufficient
| to secure each district in the county six months
| school each year; and that the onernin State
| tax be restored.
we nave placed before you as cOnclSely as
possible the evils seek TO remedy; and, il
| like manner, recommend n system which has re-
| ceived the approval OF the most eminent 'educa-
| tional bodies and men in the land. We sincerely
hope that the substantial outlines of the system
| will be adopted, and that immaterial details
! may not delay your action. We recommend
that this report if adopted be printed at the
pense OF the association and that copy be sent
| 10 each member of the State Legislature.
We further suggest that committee be ap-
| pointed TO draft bill embracing the system
herein outlined, and TO further the passage OF
this bill ut the next session OF the Legislature.
Respectfully submitted,
JOHN MACDONALD,
j. II. CANFIELD,
H. D. MCCARTY,
w. H. SWEET.
The State Teachers Association adopted the
foregoing report, and added to the original com.
mttee the following gentlemen; Hon. J. H.
/ Lawhead; Hon. II. c. Speer; Superintendent r.
| w. Turner, of Jewell; Superintendent J. H.
| Lee. of Riley; Superintendent Matt Thompson,
| OF Wabaunsee.
0CloA